Referring to the registrar's office as ``the entry point to democracy,'' Surgeon asked Aviles for a pre-transition meeting, a chance to discuss unfinished projects and acquire any parting instructions before she takes office in January.

``I am hopeful that you too share my desire to have a seamless transition,'' she wrote.

It's hard to say whether Aviles shares that desire. Surgeon said she got no reply to her letter. A reporter got the same response to a phone call for comment.

``I thought it was a very nicely written letter, to be honest,'' Surgeon said this week.

She sighed.

``This is not going to be a smooth or welcoming transition,'' Surgeon said.

Another potential transition from the registrar's office when Aviles leaves: Elaine Hatcher.

Hatcher, a 1st District Democratic town committee member and Aviles ally, has been working as a temporary employee in the registrar's office in the place (and at the desk) of Marie Hamilton, the assistant registrar -- and Surgeon supporter -- whom Aviles fired last month.

Hatcher's job was to last only until the election, but she's still there.

``It's helpful when people see that the mayor of Hartford has a lot of friends,'' Hennessy said.

Rep. Marie Kirkley-Bey knows a little about Ashley Street's Victorian charm -- she lives there. So when city officials gathered in Asylum Hill last week to kick off a new development initiative, she talked in favor of a new front porch at the project's centerpiece -- a brick structure named ``Victorian Lady'' moved this summer from 247 Sigourney St. to 21 Ashley St.

``That doesn't match,'' she said good-naturedly, pointing at the porchless Victorian Lady, the only structure in a string of six without a place to sit out front.

After 23 years with the Hartford Police Department, Lt. David Kenary has retired to take a job as a patrol officer for the University of Connecticut campus police in Storrs. Kenary, 47, said he has enjoyed his time in Hartford, where he worked a variety of assignments ranging from detective to supervisor in the narcotics division. ``I had a unique opportunity to get a feel for all types of police work, and I'm grateful for that,'' he said. Kenary said he is looking forward to this new job, which will allow him to work much closer to his home in eastern Connecticut.